It is great that I remembered Pongal this year, thanks to the Telugu calendar I have downloaded from the Internet which keeps reminding me of the day and star of the current year. It is quite amazing to think about the wonderful childhood days when we use to look forward to the numerous festivals in a year. They always come with an added bonus of school holidays and mouth watering delicacies not to mention the gathering of my favourite cousins from Samalkot and Rajahmundry.
My favourite was always Pongal as the school holidays for this festival combined with those of Christmas and we had a full month of merry making. Nevertheless it is not for the school off I remember this but for the great Rangolis and the early morning bonfires. We celebrate this festival for 4 days and the fourth one being the day you remember your ancestors and seek their blessings.
Bhogi, the first day starts with rising usual than early as the bonfire should be lit before the sunrise and one is never allowed to light it without having their festive bath with a proper oil massage. There is always commotion on who can sit closer to the fire as January is till one of the colder months. I cannot quite gather the significance even though it signifies the burning of all the bhogas from life and a fresh start to a simpler life. Makara Sankranthi, the second day is more significant to the Sun god as it is this day the sun starts his eastward revolution and enters the Makara zodiac sign. Kanuma, the third day is more significant in worship of Lord Shani with oil wicks.
In my younger years I remember the frequent visits of Haridasus and also my own favourite “Bommala Koluvu”. It was quite a ritual to start the preparation of aligning all the dolls I owned and also trying to compete with the neighbours in having the best display. It was quite a task arranging mud from the back yard into the drawing room and sowing different seeds in it so that you have green saplings growing out of it by the day of display. All the hustle is to have a corner for Zoo and forest where the saplings related to the dense forest and enhanced the zoo.
It was never about the preparation or the show off but it was all about the spirit and enthusiasm of Mom and us kids. It was the best time of the year as each of us could get lots of new clothes and there were always visitors at home. I do not know what happened to all of that spirit now, the only explanation I get is that we may have evolved from that time period and moved on for good. I salute those people who strive to cling to their culture in spite of living away from it. Just yesterday I came to know about a distant cousin who is having the traditional doll display for her 2 year old daughter in California - you can enjoy the spirit wherever you live - lesson learnt ...
My favourite was always Pongal as the school holidays for this festival combined with those of Christmas and we had a full month of merry making. Nevertheless it is not for the school off I remember this but for the great Rangolis and the early morning bonfires. We celebrate this festival for 4 days and the fourth one being the day you remember your ancestors and seek their blessings.
Bhogi, the first day starts with rising usual than early as the bonfire should be lit before the sunrise and one is never allowed to light it without having their festive bath with a proper oil massage. There is always commotion on who can sit closer to the fire as January is till one of the colder months. I cannot quite gather the significance even though it signifies the burning of all the bhogas from life and a fresh start to a simpler life. Makara Sankranthi, the second day is more significant to the Sun god as it is this day the sun starts his eastward revolution and enters the Makara zodiac sign. Kanuma, the third day is more significant in worship of Lord Shani with oil wicks.
In my younger years I remember the frequent visits of Haridasus and also my own favourite “Bommala Koluvu”. It was quite a ritual to start the preparation of aligning all the dolls I owned and also trying to compete with the neighbours in having the best display. It was quite a task arranging mud from the back yard into the drawing room and sowing different seeds in it so that you have green saplings growing out of it by the day of display. All the hustle is to have a corner for Zoo and forest where the saplings related to the dense forest and enhanced the zoo.
It was never about the preparation or the show off but it was all about the spirit and enthusiasm of Mom and us kids. It was the best time of the year as each of us could get lots of new clothes and there were always visitors at home. I do not know what happened to all of that spirit now, the only explanation I get is that we may have evolved from that time period and moved on for good. I salute those people who strive to cling to their culture in spite of living away from it. Just yesterday I came to know about a distant cousin who is having the traditional doll display for her 2 year old daughter in California - you can enjoy the spirit wherever you live - lesson learnt ...
Long live Culture!!!
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